Compiled by the Public Information Office from national and
international sources

Daily Media Review Thursday, 06 April 2006

National Media Reports

Government Is Not Denying Church Participation

Minister for the Council of Ministers and Government spokesperson,
Antoninho Bianco, strongly disagrees with the statement made by Fr.
Martinho Gusmão as reported by the media on Wednesday that a dialogue
between the Government and the church is a joke. Bianco said that the
Government has never denied the participation of the Catholic Church
during the struggle for liberation and suggests that the priests educate
the people with truth rather than making things it up. He added that
Minister Ramos-Horta is of the opinion that the Government should hold a
dialogue with the church and especially with Bishop Basilio do Nascimiento
to discuss issues of national interest. He said that the Government has
received information from the working group--composed of representatives
from the Government, church and other religious groups-- that Catholic
Schools in Timor-Leste, especially in Baucau are facing difficulties with
their activities. The MP said the State budget, which is Timor-Leste
money, is meant to be allocated to areas in need and since the church has
more experience in the area of education the Government wants to support
it.

Diario Nacional newspaper reported MP Francisco Branco (Fretilin) as
saying that the initiative of the Government is good and it is its
obligation to support the Catholic Church Institution as a development
partner in the education area. He said some church leaders should not see
this act in a negative way. Branco added that the Government is committed
to building the nation during this reconstruction phase with continued
technical assistance from development partners and added that it is not
the Government’s strategy to seek votes for the 2007 elections. In the
meantime, MP Rui Menezes (PD) said the Government’s commitment is a
dream due to the proximity of the elections and the prospect to win votes
based on this measure. MP Clementino Amaral (KOTA) is of the opinion that
the Government and the church must renew their bond, which was damaged
following the 19 days of protest in April last year. Amaral notes that the
people of Timor-Leste trust more the church than the Government therefore
it is important for the Government to restore that bond. (DN, TP, STL)

President To Hold National Dialogue

President Gusmao is holding a dialogue with national and international
NGOs with the theme of, “How Can We All Strengthen Our Commitment To
Better Serve The People And Carry Timor-Leste Forward With Stability And
Prosperity?” The dialogue is scheduled for 7th and 8th April. According
to Timor Post, the meeting is open to any discussion on the topic relating
to one’s day-to-day work. Belun NGO, NGO Forum and UNDP are supporting
the event. (TP)

Some Members of Petitioners Wants To Return

MP Antonio Lelan (Independent) reportedly said that two members of F-FDTL
Petition from Oecussi enclave have asked him for assistance to return to
the Armed Force Headquarters. Lelan stressed that the decision must come
from Brigadier General Ruak and that all he can do is organize transport
for those wishing to return to the Headquarters. To date, however, no one
has approached him again. He added that the two F-FDTL members who wished
to return have also asked for assistance with money and provisions to hold
meeting which he refused to give saying he would only provide for the
benefit and stability of the country.

Timor Post reported Salsinha Gastao, the spokesperson for the group as
saying they are all concentrated in the former UNHCR quarantine compound
in Rai Kotuk to avoid being accused of creating problems. Gastao said the
purpose of them to remaining in that area is to await a solution from the
leaders regarding their problem. He also said the group sent a letter to
the PNTL Commissioner informing him of their decision to remain in Rai
Kotuk, adding that their families are their sole support. (DN, TP)

WFP Starts Food Program in Schools

World Food Program, WFP is now providing food to schools in five
districts. According to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by WFP and
the Government of Timor-Leste, WFP will provide lunch and supplemental
food for schools. The program started two months ago in the districts of
Covalima, Bobonaro, Oecussi, Ainaro and Liquiça. The program will soon
start in Dili District focusing first on the island of Ataúro. The School
Director of Maumeta, Liquiça, Rozinha de Jesus said, since the program
began the students are much more eager to attend classes and the numbers
continue to increase. De Jesus said that before this, not many students
could attend class up to twelve thirty because they could not bear being
hungry and the long distance they had to walk back. She hopes that the
food provided will strengthen their learning capacity, but it is too soon
to tell. Food supplements (ground maize) are also being distributed to
pregnant mothers. Each pregnant mother is entitled to 9 kilogram of the
maize and oil. Breastfeeding mothers are entitled to15 kilogram of maize
(9 for mother and 6 child). A total of 72 pregnant mothers and 104
breastfeeding mothers have benefited from the program. (TP)

RTTL news Headlines

05-04-2006

President received New Ambassadors

The President of Republic, Xanana Gusmão received the letter of
credentials from the new Ambassadors from South Korean Republic, Moon Ho-Joon
and the Popular Republic of China, Mr. Su Jian on Wednesday. Speaking to
journalists after the ceremony, Ambassador Joon reportedly stated that his
country is interested in transferring technology to the people of Timor
Leste. Since 1999, the South Korean Government has pledged over 6 million
USD to the Government of Timor-Leste

PNTL destroyed pornography VCDs

PNTL destroyed pornography VCDs, reportedly to demonstrate to the
public that they aware of the problem, RTTL reported on Wednesday.
Speaking to journalists, PNTL General Commander, Paulo Fatima Martins
reportedly stated that the VCDs were destroyed as an example for the
people to stay away from these devices and to encourage parents to keep
their children away from pornography.

Thai Businessmen wish to invest in TL

Following the conclusion of the Timor-Leste and Development Partners’
meeting, a group of Thai Businessmen held a meeting with the Government
and Civil Society groups of Timor-Leste to express their interests on
investing in this country. During the meeting, at Hotel Timor, they
reportedly presented a proposal about producing electricity using Bio Mass
energy, the area in which they wish to invest.

Want changes? Government must listen to the people: Jose Luis Guterres

Want to make changes? Government must listen to critics and opinion
from the church, civil society, opposition parties, political leaders and
traditional leaders/authorities. Because criticism can be golden when it
improves a situation.

Therefore if the Government wants to govern this nation properly, it
must listen to the people, and the politicians who thinks that Timor is
the property of the people must work together. Fretilin Central Committee
(CCF) member Jose Luis Guterres told this to Timor Post on 4 April after
participating in the bilateral meeting between development partners and
the government in Hotel Timor.

According to Timor Post, Jose Luis Guterres­a figure likely to become
a candidate for Fretilin’s Secretary-General in the up coming
congress­appealed to Fretilin leaders especially those in the Government
to not only pay attention to those who speak nicely about the Government
but also to listen to the critics as well to improve governance.

He also asked Fretilin political leaders to make changes if they want
to see the party stronger in future, adding that the party does not belong
to one person but to the militants and the population and therefore, the
political structure must be defined and implemented by the leaders, Jose
Luis Guterres said.

“I believe the economic social development and political changes
yearly. Whichever party wants continued efforts, must make changes and
Fretilin also wants to continue to better serve the people of Timor-Leste
and it must respect the statute of the situation in the coming congress,”
said Timor-Leste Ambassador to the UN. (TP)